White House Does Not Comment on Iran-Oman Proposal for Strait of Hormuz

<p>The Trump administration has previously asserted that Iran does not control passage through the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>Following the announcement of a proposed framework by Iran and Oman that Tehran claims would exclude military vessels if finalized, the White House has not indicated whether President Donald Trump would accept any restrictions on U.S. warships under this arrangement.</p><p>U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected Iran’s claim of authority over the strait. "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," stated CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins. "The strait is an international waterway that commercial vessels continue to transit with U.S. military assistance."</p><p>Fox News Digital inquired whether Trump would accept a restriction on U.S. military vessels if the proposal becomes binding, whether American forces would be expected to comply, and whether U.S. warships would retain the right to operate in the strait regardless of any future arrangement. The White House did not respond.</p><p>Hawkins noted that U.S. forces have assisted nearly 1,500 vessels in transiting the strait since early May.</p><p>The lack of response from the White House marks a change from previous months, during which the administration publicly challenged Iranian efforts to control passage through Hormuz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously labeled a proposed toll system as illegal and unacceptable, while Trump threatened Oman if it interfered with a U.S. deal with Iran.</p><p>The administration has also applied military and economic pressure aimed at reopening the strait on U.S. terms. American forces have targeted Iranian military assets, protected commercial shipping, and maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, while expanding sanctions through the new Operation Economic Outcast campaign.</p><p>These measures have contributed to a decrease in shipping traffic through Hormuz, with oil flows reported at about 5 million barrels per day, down from over 20 million barrels per day prior to the conflict, according to provisional data from Vortexa.</p><p>Iran is pursuing an arrangement that it claims would allow it to maintain some control over the waterway while excluding foreign military vessels. Oman and Iran announced a proposed framework to reopen the strait through a joint temporary navigational corridor and a mine-clearing project.</p><p>Their joint statement indicated that technical discussions would continue regarding a permanent corridor, future administration of the strait, traffic management, and security services, with key terms still unresolved.</p><p>Iranian officials provided additional details, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that the temporary arrangement would direct commercial ships entering the Persian Gulf through Iranian waters, while outbound traffic would move through both Iranian and Omani waters. He indicated that the proposal would exclude military vessels if it becomes binding.</p><p>Separately, Sepah News, associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that Iran and Oman had reached agreements on the distribution of the strait's waters and revenue sharing. The IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi also accused the U.S. of obstructing the negotiations.</p><p>However, Oman’s public statement did not mention a ban on military vessels, transit fees, or revenue sharing, and referred to the framework as proposed. Iranian officials also informed Reuters that the arrangement is not yet finalized.</p><p>This leaves the critical question unresolved: whether Iran can leverage the emerging commercial shipping framework to restrict American military access to the strait, and how the Trump administration would respond if Tehran attempts to do so.</p>